MANILA, March 2 — The Palace reiterated yesterday that the government is continuously monitoring the situation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East who may be affected by the slump in the price of oil.
Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the government is implementing measures to assist the OFWs there.
“DOLE has established fully-integrated processes for new job applications and placements, livelihood assistance and training and other social safety nets for cushioning the impact of possible job losses in the Middle East,” he said.
Coloma said that Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz has sent labor officials to Saudi Arabia to negotiate for the salaries and benefits as well as for the release and exit, if necessary, of OFWs working in companies experiencing financial troubles such as Saudi Oger Ltd and Saudi Bin Ladin Group.
The officials include Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunsad III and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Director Albert Valenciano. (PRC-PIA)